Down Socks

Just ordered a pair for my girlfriend. Won't get here in time for Valentine's day probably, but I know she will still enjoy them! Looking forward to getting a pair of my own later on too. Great work Ben!

Andrew,
I just happened to have a pair of smalls already made up – they will ship today.

– Ben Smith

Ben,

You have no idea how happy you just made me. Thanks so much for going above and beyond! I will do what I can to return the good vibes your sending back in your direction!

Ben,

My wife wore her booties in her scuba dry suit under her normal undergarment foot wear. She reports that her feet were totally toasty for the whole day of diving.

BTW: That's a first for her!

Thanks again,

Larry

I wore my down socks for the first time last weekend, night temps 25-27* F both nights. I wore them over a pair of CoolMax synthetic sock liners. This was the first time I've had warm feet "all" night with temps below 40*F.

Thanks Ben, you've got a winner.

Larry,

Thanks for testing these out in a new way! Anybody know of some good scuba diving forums?

JJ,

I'm glad you are enjoying them!

– Ben

PM Sent

I would just like to say that I had some custom stuff made by Ben and they are awesome. The craftsmanship was perfect, he was swift in reply and shipment. He was inquisitive on making sure he was understanding exactly what I wanted and even had some ideas to improve them- a piece I overlooked and am glad it was added. I don't have the down socks, but I can attest to his professionalism and work.

A+

I would definitely do business with him again, and probably will due to the wife's cold tootsies.

"The medium size fit my size 9.5 feet, right to the seam on the bottom of these wonderful "goose feet". I would advise the extra down option."
You are right on! The only person to recommend the extra down in size medium socks. Mine weigh 2.8 oz. with the tiny stuff sack. Get the extra down!

Ben,

Thanks for the socks. Have you considered offering a stock version with foam (Evazote? Volara?) and/or waterproof soles? Also, what about the amount of down for each pair being proportional to their volume (size), rather than a fixed amount? (The overfill option could also be a percentage increase, rather than weight.) Just some ideas. Thanks again!

Ross,

I have thought about making a pair of socks with foam and waterproof material on the bottom, but haven't worked out the logistics of making them yet. I have also thought about the down amounts, but haven't implemented that yet because of the trial and error needed, and the difference in costs.

Thanks for your suggestions and ideas!

– Ben Smith

Just returned from a week-long cycling trip in Colorado. While it's summer time there were still some cool evenings in the 35-40F range. I wore my Goose Feet while relaxing in the evenings. The fit for a size L (shoe size 11.5) was right on. Mine have the extra down. The sock fit was just right. I look forward to cooler weather when I can again enjoy warm feet. The weight is 72g/2.5 oz for the pair.

Thanks, Ben. My Goose Feet are well made and a delight to use.

Ben, or others, I see on your site, you have two options for extra down. What would you recommend for night time temps down to 25*?

Thanks,
Leigh

Leigh,

What bag/quilt and pad will you be using?

– Ben

Ben, at those temps I will be in my hammock, 3 season custom down top quilt, and 3+ season 3/4 length down under quilt with 3/8" thinlight pad doubled over, with reflectix sandwiched between. The issue is the down top quilt cinches closed with a drawstring at the bottom with an ever so slight hole at the end. I already have Montbell Inner liner jacket and pants, as well as Patagonia capilene 1 and 2. I have only had the hammock a few months and the coldest temps so far have been about 38. I was toasty wearing just the cap 1, except for my feet (did not have the reflectix at the time.) I am cold-natured (female).As long as my hands, feet, and head are warm I'm good to go. I'm ready to place an order, just needing to know how much extra down to go with.
Thanks,
Leigh

Leigh,

For smaller sizes (I assume that you are probably a small or medium), 1/2 ounce extra is more than enough.

– Ben

Ben,

Are you still making these booties?

I was in the Sierra's at Guitar Lake and one of the girls in my party got really cold so I loaned her my Mont-Bell Down Inners and the booties I purchased from you. Now I think she wants her own pair.

Larry

Larry,

Yes! Check out my website:

GooseFeet

– Ben Smith

Larry,

You might want to check out this thread

Thanks Doug,

I should have just looked for Ben's website in this thread to begin with… Boy the internet is cool huh?

I'll forward the link to my friend.

I was pretty proud of my friend and her husband. I took them on a week backpack and their packs were just under 30 lbs even though this was only their second backpack of all time.

Larry,

Your friend can't nominate herself at that thread! If you think she's worthy, you need to nominate her.

Take care,

Doug

My wife and I just finished our first winter backpack in several years, and these look like exactly what I needed. Temperatures got down to around 20 the first night. My toes were in serious pain by the time we turned in (7:00 PM) and it seemed forever before they stopped hurting once in the sleeping bag – I do tend to suffer from cold extremities. How much down fill should I get? I'll be wearing size Large (I take 10.5 – 11 shoes) over merino hiking socks. I'm concerned about both around camp with the over-booties, and with sleeping. Two people in a small double wall 3-season tent (BA Fly Creek UL2), 32F bag (WM Summerlite), multiple pads under my torso but (for now) only 1/8" thinlight and an empty pack under my feet. Say low temperature of 20.

Thanks,
Will

Will, I think 1/2 ounce extra should be good for 20.

Thanks Ben. I placed the order. Have there been any reports of condensation issues under the overboot shells?

Will,

I have not had anyone comment on the breathability of the outer shells, but you are always free to place a custom order. I have put the 0.9oz taffeta fabric on the shells for a few customers, and could order some WPB fabric if you wanted.